Monday Morning Musing….

Written by: Debbie

I am home from the conference. It was wonderful and I have much to share. To be honest, first I must rest up. I spent as much time in classrooms, soaking in all the knowledge as I could. The hotel was on the beach, my room had a glorious view of the ocean. I did see amazing sunrises each morning. However, I did not take full advantage of the sea air and wonderful waves rolling up on shore as there was always one more class being offered with nuggets of wisdom, I just could not miss. I hope to share some of that in upcoming days, as well as links to the blogs and sites of some of my colleagues whom I had the pleasure of spending time with.

This morning though, I did want to share a quick story of gratitude. My neighbor and friend was heading towards Daytona Beach this past weekend as well. We thought we might share a ride, however, she decided to wait and leave Friday morning. I left for the conference on Thursday. On Sunday, as I am heading into a luncheon expecting to hear a fabulous speaker, my cell phone rang. It was my husband, letting me know that I would be hearing from my neighbor. Apparently, she had left for home early in the day. She had made a quick stop in Orlando and was preparing to get back on I-4, when her car was hit by another car. Her car was totaled, she seemed OK, just dazed and maybe whiplash.

I wasn’t able to eat lunch, I was anticipating the phone call the entire meal. When it came, she still sounded a bit confused, however, I knew she was with friends and safe. She just needed me to pick her up and drive her home. She had thought she might be able to drive her car home, fortunately her friends talked her out of trying that. Her car wasn’t safe and she wasn’t up to it.

I gave one last talk that I had been scheduled for and left immediately. (I had checked out of the hotel and packed my car up early in the morning.). When I met up with my friend, I was relieved to see her in pretty good shape, all things considered. Now, here is the thing about this amazing woman. The entire ride home, she was filled with gratitude. She was pleased her car had kept her safe, that I was going to be passing through Orlando and could drive her home, that her friends were in Orlando, able to keep her until I could get to her. On and on the list went, gratitude and more gratitude.

When we were getting near home, she mentioned how she loves the causeway into Clearwater and then head north as opposed to another more direct route home. So, I took the long way, she oohed and aahed over the water, the boats, the beauty of where we live. She kept saying how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful area. The few extra minutes on the road were so worth listening to her joy.

My friend has some challenges coming up. Her attitude is so powerful and positive, I know she will deal with everything in the best way possible. She has people to support her in her decision making process and help her through difficult moments. How coudl you help but be a friend to someone so amazing?

Friday Silliness

Written by: Debbie

So, I am in Daytona Beach and working in a business center where I cannot hear what I am playing. Let that be my first warning, as what I think I am posting might not actually be what I am posting. (I am just so excited to be online for a moment!)

Anyway, I thought about an earlier conversation I had and decided for my Friday Silliness, I would ask you, if you were to be an animal, particularly a television or movie animal, who would you be? My youngest, no doubt in my mind: Cheeta, from the Tarzan movies. My oldest, debatable, but possibly Sassy from a movie that escapes my mind now, however, he loved it as a child. My husband, best I not post that!

Me?

Watch this:

p.s. Ms. E!

Written by: Debbie

thank you, you made me cry.

Not Forgetting You

Written by: Debbie

I have been very busy with so many details, as I mentioned on Monday. Tonight, a celebration for my darling husband. He supports me in my dreams and goals for my hypnosis business. He tells the world that I am so positive sunshine emits from, oh my, I better edit that statement here. He dances with shopping carts in the grocery store. I want to celebrate him, for the joy he brings me!

Tomorrow, I am off to my convention. Although I am making presentations (three of them, what was I thinking when I agreed to that?), I am looking forward to learning and improving my skills. It is my intention to return with new inspirations to share with everyone.

In the meantime, breath, my friends. Just breath. Breath is life. Long, deep breathes, filling your lungs and slow exhales, releasing tensions and tightness. Relax and allow your life to flow. What seems major today, will simply be history tomorrow.

Monday Morning Musing….

Written by: Debbie

Once again, a weekend has passed and I am preparing for a busy week ahead. At the end of the week, I am attending a conference in Daytona Beach with the International Association of Therapists and Counselors. I will be giving presentations, so I am working out the last minute details of these seminars. There are appointments to keep during the week. Wednesday is my wonderful husband’s birthday, so we will be celebrating that! All in all, a busy, productive week. I love those.

I will take a few moments to reflect on my gratitude, as this morning I have so much to be grateful for. Two of my brothers live just outside of Macon, Georgia. This weekend tornadoes swept through that area. Both of my brothers were untouched, their families are safe. Both brothers are involved in the clean up. That truly is a reason for gratitude. My sister in law is in a suburb of Khartoum right now. Over the weekend rebels from Darfur attacked a nearby village. Her friend Tito lives in that village, he was away from home and stayed at a nearby church for safety. Both are safe right now. More gratitude.

Research shows the effects on the brain and immune system from emotional displays like gratitude; kind, affirming words cause chemical changes in the brain that work much like antidepressants (creating a sense of peace and calm). As a positive message travels along a nerve in the brain and reaches the end of the nerve, chemicals are released then picked up by the next nerve allowing the message to continue through out. These chemicals, known as neurotransmitters release the feel good chemicals such as serotonin.

However, the gratitude must be genuine. So, perhaps in a given moment you don’t feel gratitude for what is occurring in your life. What then? Perhaps that is a time to take stock of what is good and right in your life. Are you safe in this moment? Do you have your health? Think of one small thing that is right, in this moment and focus on that.

Gratitude is a choice. So is bitterness. Your health and well being depend upon your attitude, your choices. You can remain bitter and allow yourself to become numb, ill or even worse or you can choose in this moment to focus on something, anything to feel gratitude for. Imagine moving through an event and until you reach a place where you say, “ I learned something.” Then imagine as a result the next time adversity hits, you are prepared with knowledge as well as a neurological and physical resilience. Knowing that you will be OK. Then you truly are able to give thanks and be grateful.

Mother’s Day

Written by: Debbie

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there, especially to Mumsy.

It was through Mumsy that I learned about loyalty. She is loyal to a fault. Truly, it is a fault of hers, I tried to change her, but she is stubborn. Wait, let’s call that tenacious, because I am so much like her. My dear mother believes the best about everyone, holds on to her beliefs regardless of misunderstandings (or even facts). She loves as unconditionally as a human is capable of loving.

Mumsy taught me the values I hold dear, like honesty and compassion. She has always had a great senses of humor as well. She taught me to laugh, we have shared many laughs. My mother taught me to think things through, then follow my heart. She taught me how to parent, hopefully my boys know they are loved, the way I knew it growing up. She adores my boys, it is evident. (She spoils them and undoes all my discipline!)

Most importantly, my mother taught me every naughty thing I have ever done. That is my story and I am sticking to it. It isn’t the devil who made me do it, it is my own dear mother! So, cry innocent all you want, Mumsy dearest, the truth is out for all the world to see. Oh and by the way, I love you Mumsy.

Friday Silliness

Written by: Debbie

This has been around for a while. It just seems appropriate for me today. It seems I have more blonde moments when my sons are around to point them out. I mean really, how was I supposed to know that the computer monitor works better when it is plugged in? (We had unplugged everything to move stuff around.) Is it my fault that my glasses were on top of my head while I frantically searched for them? Who expects to remember to bring the clothes they’ve packed with them? Well, you get the idea.

But hey, we laugh a lot around here. Just last night, I went on a sunset cruise. The water was rough and the boat was throwing us around. The captain kept slowing down and speeding up, just to hear my laugh. I was hysterical as the water was splashing all over my lovely outfit. It just struck my funny bone and that made everyone else laugh at/with me.

May 8th

Written by: Debbie

Funny how certain dates seem to stick out for an individual. There are obvious dates, such as holidays, birthdays and anniversary’s. Then there are those that over time just seem to become significant. May 8th is one of those for me.

Initially it was the birthday of a friend of mine from way back in high school. Mary’s nickname was Mullet. Not because of hair, this name preceded that awful mutation by years! Mullet was the first person to say to me, “thoughts become things”. She had an amazing upbeat personality and outlook. I learned so much about thinking positive from her. Mullet saw possibilities everywhere, her energy was high and I will forever remember her laugh as she would say “Oh Coppertone, you are so funny!” at something ridiculous I had stated in the moment. I will always carry a piece of Mullet with me through out life. She left an incredible and wonderful mark on me.

May 8th took on a new meaning the year I lived through a storm that flooded out the apartment complex I was living in. I have written about this event before. It was life altering for me. My apartment was on the second floor, above flood level, so many residents took shelter in our home until the rescue boats were able to deliver them to dry land. During this time, I made it my duty to keep everyone in good spirits. I conducted sing a longs. (Many people sang along just to drown out my voice!) We told jokes and became comrades in the storm.

Today is May 8th and again there is an event of significance for me. I have made a friend on the net who is a blogger. His blog BadEvan is raw and sometimes harsh. He views life from a jaded and angry aspect, according to him. There is another side to this young man, but I promised to never publicly tell how I view him. BadEvan is facing major surgery today. He is having a complete colectomy. He has suffered for many years with Sever Ulcerative Colitis, the medications are not effective and this is a dramatic step the doctors feel they must take.

As I am writing this, BadEvan is in the operating room. So, my thoughts and prayers are with him and his surgeon. I ask that you join me in sending positive thoughts and prayers his direction. It is my intent that May 8th take on one more significance, that it becomes the day my friend BadEvan began a new life, healthy and whole. For BadEvan, I see possibilities and opportunities ahead!

Seven Useful Facts

Written by: Debbie

I have made an online friend with the adorable Rachel of The Baked Blogger. Rachel blogs about her baking, her family and life in general. Whether or not we agree, she is as sweet as the recipes she shares.

Unfortunately, Rachel tagged me with yet another of those meme games. I swore I would never do another, so I guess my swearing doesn’t mean much at this moment. Let this serve as a warning, however, to any and all others, I will not participate ever again!

In this particular game, I am expected to list 7 facts about myself that make me useful? What, like a cup or a monkey wrench? That is a tough one for me. Maybe if I compare myself to useful items in my life I will be able to come up with seven things.

1. A cup: you fill a cup with a liquid to hold it as you drink from it as needed. I am willing to be filled with your thoughts and dreams prior to a hypnosis session, then you slowly will drain back as needed. (Ugh, already this is sounding corny.)

2. A shoe: shoes provide protection for your feet as you walk on your journey, as well as often building your self esteem and identity. Hopefully, I provide a safe space for you on your journey, while you begin to become aware of your value and uniqueness.

3. A watch: watches keep you aware of the passing of time. It is my goal to help you enjoy the moments as they pass, noticing the joys in each one.

4. A cell phone: a way to communicate with others, no matter where you are or they are. It is my hope that through our sessions, you improve the internal dialogue you have, thus improving your interactions with everyone you encounter.

5. A hacky sack: no, I am not the universal hacky sack for everyone to kick and toss. However, when you play with a hacky sack, often you release energy and develop coordination, through focus. I allow people to vent and release, then help them become more focused on achieving their goals, leaving the mundane garbage behind.

6. A pen: pens are used to journal, to sign documents, to leave a mark behind. In hypnosis you are able to go into a brain wave pattern that allows for creative thought and answers. If you follow a hypnosis session with journaling, amazing stuff ends up on the page! Stuff that may help you create your signature or mark!

7. The delete key: Imagine taking old beliefs about yourself that limited you in some way and just plain hitting delete. That is what often occurs in a hypnosis session.

Ok, I played along. I am not sure this was exactly what Rachel meant, not what you, my loyal friends hoped to find here today. It is what it is. Next blog, back to hypnotic thoughts.

Monday Morning Musing….

Written by: Debbie

This weekend I was invited to a fabulous luncheon. The hostess was expressing gratitude. The event was amazing, a collection of the most eclectic individuals, it was an honor to be included. The meal was divine, she had a “special guest” who provided intrigue and the gifts she gave were most amazing.

She gave me a book! Everyone surely knows at this point how I love books. (I sat and read it poolside yesterday.) Knowing my preoccupation with shoes, it was fun to receive a shoe magnet amongst the goodies as well. Mostly, it was the attitude of these divine individuals that I felt the most blessed by. The gratitude the hostess was sharing, became contagious. Everyone seemed to be sharing stories of gratitude in their lives, connecting, blessing.

All too often we use familiar thought patterns, going to the negative. We focus on what is wrong in our day, the situation, our lives. This moment was special. It was an opportunity to think about what is right in our lives, how we have been blessed. Blessed even by instances that seemed negative at first glance.

Take a moment and imagine right here, right now, what are the blessings in your life. If you are reading this, most likely, you have access to a world of information about any given subject. How awesome is that? Through the internet we have the ability to communicate with loved ones at a distance. My sister in law just left for mission work in Africa. I am certainly grateful for internet connections with her.

I enjoy going to this blog for reminders on how simple it is to stay in the moment and be grateful. Check out: Things I’m Grateful For

I am also grateful for my webmaster, friend. She reminds me that my blog is not supposed to take all of my time on a Monday, when there are other opportunities at hand. So, with gratitude, I leave you this thought: God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” ~William A. Ward

DebbieDona